So often, when we read the word, we see the place, the peril, the circumstance, something that speaks to our current difficulties, and we focus right on that. When in fact, what God is attempting to do is draw us to Himself. To Jesus. To live out our life in Christ. In a way that brings glory to Him, and His grace to the world. Let's today, learn to focus on the right thing: Jesus, and how we can live this life in the world in the midst of suffering and difficulty.
1Peter 2:1-4
“1Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good, 4 ...and come to him.”
1 Peter 2:11-13
“11Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us… 13Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake…”
1 Peter 2:18-19
“...submit to…” Being “…conscious, or, mindful of God and His will…”
1 Peter 2:21
“...Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps.”
Philippians 2:5 “have the same attitude as Jesus, who though God…”
Ephesians 5:1-2 “...be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. And walk in love, or, live a life of love”
Peter gives us a number of contrasting, and even, in this day, controversial relationships…
1 Peter 2:13-17 Citizen vs. government
1 Peter 2:18-20 Slave vs. master
Jesus’ example of love and life through unjust suffering
1 Peter 3:1-7 Husband vs. wife
Peter's point is this:
“Life is hard, suffering is inevitable, these relationships are difficult for everyone no matter what side you’re on. So instead of focusing on the problem, remember - or - be mindful of God and His will, and remember - who you are in Christ, the example of Jesus set, the empowering you have to imitate him, and how to do it.”
We tend to focus on the issues at hand, the things that hit us where we are…
When in fact Peter is trying to get us to focus on God and who we are in and to God in Christ and our affect on those with whom we live and work
Mindful or conscious of God and His will
Fixing the eyes of our heart on Him (Hebrews 1; 2; 12)
1 Peter 2:21-25 And Peter brings it right back to Jesus - the author and perfecter of our faith, who came and shows us what living our God’s righteousness - His love - is!!
Jesus and His example
Jesus suffered too!
Do what He did
21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22“He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.” e
23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25For “you were like sheep going astray,” f but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Vs 25 So we have returned to you… The Shepherd and overseer of your souls - 2:18–20
Maker, Savior, creator - Genesis 1-3; John 1;3; Romans 8; Eph 2
“My sheep know my voice and they follow me” - John 10
Lord and King - 2Peter 1:2; 2:20; 3:18
1 Peter 3:8-12 And now Peter brings us to how we live as Jesus in our context…
Our role in bringing Jesus’ way, truth, life, righteousness, kingdom to bear in each of these contexts by how we speak and act toward others - how we treat each other
3:8-12 8Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
11They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
